I retired at 55, and this blog describes my experiences, observations and feelings about retirement.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Another view

on Breast Cancer Awareness month from a friend who shares the experience of being a breast cancer survivor. We had a lively discussion over dinner last week, and I found out that she raises money for indigent women to get mammograms and cancer treatment We agreed that October has become too commercialized with many retailers jumping on the pink bandwagon, but this doesn't really bother her because of the money being raised for prevention and a cure. I also learned that she celebrates each year of being cancer free by adding a pink stone to a beautiful ribbon lapel pin.

After expressing my strong views last week, I thought it was important to describe another point of view. I appreciate my friend's ability to look beyond herself and focus on helping other women deal with breast cancer. She may be right in saying that "it's too close" for me. With only three years since my own diagnosis, everything is still a bit fresh and painful. Maybe like many other difficult situations, time heals...

Ok, definitely time to get past that subject. On a lighter note...

Last week I decided to paint the guest bathroom. With a Halloween party coming up this weekend, it seemed like a good idea. Nothing like those self-imposed deadlines, huh?

Covering the lovely contractor off-white walls

I learned an important lesson here. Know what color you want to paint a room before you start on a painting project. Sounds like common sense now after I made 3 different trips to Sherwin-Williams to purchase sample quarts of different paint colors. It's hard to be decisive when you don't know what you want. Given my project management experience, I should know better. Always know your requirements before building (or painting)!

Chaise mauve walls and silver framed mirror

Anyway, for less than $100 we changed the look of this room. In addition to paint, we removed the 48 inch square mirror over the sink and replaced it with a beautiful framed mirror from Home Goods. Last year when remodeling my house in Des Moines, we learned how much changing a mirror can update a bathroom. Eventually we will replace the counter top and faucet, but for now we are quite happy with the results.

Eagles concert. Yes, we were in the nose bleed section.

We also enjoyed an amazing Eagles Concert on Friday night with friends Mel and Cathy. Between all the Eagles songs we know and love, the band members interspersed comments on the history of the group and what was happening at the time of a song. The Eagles totally rocked Bankers Life Fieldhouse filled with baby boomers like us. Ok, I did see one young person, but they missed the concert because they were texting the whole time...

And after a weeks long media circus about Peyton Manning's first trip back to Indy as the quarterback of the Denver Broncos, and an my own expectation that Andrew Luck and the Colts would be crushed, the Colts won! The Colts dominated this very physical game, and I admit that I was glued to the TV set until after midnight watching the game.

And alas, cool weather has returned. We've had frost the last 2 nights, and some local areas got snow. Seriously? It's only October! So I moved several plants inside and saved my pansies from frost by putting them on the front porch.

So Mike's frantically putting the finishing touches on his costume, and I'm happy for a simple costume using clothes I already have. And yes this is the most complicated costume Mike's ever built. And yes he's slightly crazy! I'll share pictures of our costumes after the big party this Saturday.

About Me

My name is Diane, and I recently retired. I am exploring life after working for 30 plus years in banking and insurance. I love writing and photography, and I thought writing a blog about retirement would be a great way to chronicle this new chapter in life. And I'm starting to get used to the label "retiree", well sort of...